Could big Fell beef up Jose’s side for Juve?
UNITED are almost half-way through a week which could define their entire season.
After securing a vital win against Bournemouth at the weekend, Jose Mourinho and his side must overcome the ‘Old Lady’ before they can even begin to think about facing their old foes across the city on Sunday.
And after an uninspiring start to the new season it could be time for United to take a midfield risk ahead of their trip to face Juventus – a gamble in the shape of Marouane Fellaini.
The mere thought of Fellaini in recent years was enough to make many supporters wince.
It is true the Belgian international will always be hampered by the extra baggage he carries of being associated with the most calamitous years at Old Trafford in recent years.
However, the 30-year-old deserves credit for the manner in which he has salvaged his United career, and how he has become a key man for big occasions.
Nemanja Matic’s recent loss of form and the impressive display from Ander Herrera at the weekend means Mourinho has a fair argument to ditch the typical beanpole midfielder for the trip to Turin, and base it around their broccoli-haired enforcer instead.
While it might not be easy on the eye, United perhaps do have an excuse to adopt a more direct approach against Juventus on Wednesday night.
United managed just six shots in their home Champions League match against the Italian champions last month – they last had fewer than that in a single Champions League match back in October 2013 against Shakhtar Donetsk under David Moyes (four shots).
Supporters can reluctantly expect more of the same on their first visit to the Allianz Stadium, and this only amplifies the importance of United’s set-pieces.
Fellaini will not only offer a direct threat at goal in the opposition, but he will compensate for the physical approach which will be lost in Romelu Lukaku’s absence.
Against the commanding defensive partnership of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini the club also need to find a way to add extra steel to the squad, and ensure they can compete toe-to-toe with players Mourinho says ‘could go to Harvard University to give classes about how to be a central defender.’
Fellaini will also be a vital defensive cog for United when they are defending their own set-pieces, and could play a pivotal at protecting David de Gea on a potentially busy night in Turin.
The sight of Fellaini might bring a sigh to many United supporters, but his inclusion could be pivotal in causing an equally big sigh for Massimiliano Allegri as United prove they haven’t made the trip just to be pushovers.